I just purchased my 2012 Sportsman 500H.O. this week. I noticed that it's already wired for a winch. Do i need some sort of mounting kit to install a winch on it? Also any recommendations on a winch would help. I don't plan on putting it in the mud to often, just mainly trail riding. Please advise, I know you guys know your stuff! Thanks.

 

If you are comfortable with spending a little more money upfront, I would definitely go with Warn! You will need a mounting plate (specific to your machine) and the winch...I would recommend 2500 lb for utility quads and then the choice is yours whether you go with cable or synthetic!

 

Warn or Ramsey. Not the questionable Polaris.

 

Another vote for Warn...
2500 minimum...

John

 

buy a bracket made for your model and year bike and then buy a good winch and not a cheap one. i too buy warn.

 

I have had warn but I put two viper winches on my mine and my wifes xp's. Motoalliance.com is the website I believe. They are also on ebay. I have ahd better luck with these than I did with my warn 2500lb, my warn 300olb worked perfect.

My buddy broke an axle the last weekend we rode and I had to pull him up all the steep hills, usually required the winch because you couldn't really build any speed. It worked perfectly. On my 850 I have the 3500lb and the rope on hers it is the 2500lb with cable.

 

Thanks were your xp's already wired for a winch?

 

almost all Polaris that I have seen are prewired for the winch (newer ones at least)

 

I don't recall either of our 2010's pre wired for a winch. I had to use the wiring in the kit that came with my winch.

 

I could be wrong but I think they did away with the prewiring when they moved the battery to the front...

John